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Guerrero Population Overview
Guerrero (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero) is one of the 32 federal entities of Mexico, located in southwestern Mexico. It is bordered by Michoacán to the north and west, the State of Mexico and Morelos to the north, Puebla to the northeast, and Oaxaca to the east.
Guerrero is the 13th most populated state in Mexico and the 14th largest by area. According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, the population of Guerrero in 2020 was 3,540,685 (3.54 million). The state accounts for 2.8% of Mexico’s total population and recorded a population growth rate of 4.48% between 2010 and 2020.
👉 Projected Population of Guerrero (2026): ~3.7 million
Guerrero Census 2020 – Quick Facts
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 3,540,685 (3.54 million) |
| Male Population | 1,700,612 |
| Female Population | 1,840,073 |
| Population Rank | 13th |
| Total Land Area | 63,596 km² (24,555 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 14th |
| Population Density | 56/km² (145/sq mi) |
| Capital City | Chilpancingo |
| Male–Female Ratio | 92.4 men per 100 women |
| Life Expectancy | 73.3 years |
| Median Age | 27 years |
| Urban Population | 60% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Mexico Population & Demography
Guerrero Historical Population
Guerrero recorded a population growth rate of 4.48% between 2010 and 2020, indicating a gradual slowdown in recent decades. From 1940 to 2000, the state experienced strong demographic expansion, adding nearly 2.3 million people to its population. Rapid growth was especially visible between the 1950s and 1980s, while population increases have moderated since 2000.
Overall, Guerrero’s population has grown more than seven times since 1900, reflecting long-term improvements in health, infrastructure, and living conditions.
Population Growth of Guerrero (1900–2020)
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 479,205 | – | – |
| 1910 | 594,278 | +115,073 | +24.01% |
| 1921 | 566,836 | −27,442 | −4.62% |
| 1930 | 641,690 | +74,854 | +13.21% |
| 1940 | 732,910 | +91,220 | +14.22% |
| 1950 | 919,386 | +186,476 | +25.44% |
| 1960 | 1,186,716 | +267,330 | +29.08% |
| 1970 | 1,597,360 | +410,644 | +34.60% |
| 1980 | 2,109,513 | +512,153 | +32.06% |
| 1990 | 2,620,637 | +511,124 | +24.23% |
| 2000 | 3,079,649 | +459,012 | +17.52% |
| 2010 | 3,388,768 | +309,119 | +10.04% |
| 2020 | 3,540,685 | +151,917 | +4.48% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Largest Cities in Guerrero
Guerrero’s population is mainly concentrated in a few major urban centers that serve as economic, administrative, and tourism hubs. Coastal cities like Acapulco play a key role in tourism, while inland cities such as Chilpancingo and Iguala function as important political and commercial centers.
These cities attract internal migration due to better access to jobs, education, healthcare, and infrastructure compared to rural areas.
📊 Largest Cities and Towns in Guerrero (2020)
| Rank | City / Town | Municipality | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acapulco | Acapulco de Juárez | 658,609 |
| 2 | Chilpancingo | Chilpancingo de los Bravo | 225,728 |
| 3 | Iguala | Iguala de la Independencia | 132,854 |
| 4 | Zihuatanejo | Zihuatanejo de Azueta | 70,760 |
| 5 | Tlapa | Tlapa de Comonfort | 59,580 |
| 6 | Taxco | Taxco de Alarcón | 50,399 |
| 7 | Chilapa | Chilapa de Álvarez | 33,783 |
| 8 | Zumpango del Río | Eduardo Neri | 27,944 |
| 9 | Ometepec | Ometepec | 27,607 |
| 10 | Ciudad Altamirano | Pungarabato | 25,850 |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Top Cities in Mexico by Population
Religion in Guerrero
Religion plays an important role in the cultural and social life of Guerrero. According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, the state remains predominantly Christian, with Roman Catholicism as the dominant faith. However, Protestant and evangelical communities have continued to grow, while a small but noticeable share of the population identifies as unaffiliated or without religion.
Overall, Guerrero reflects Mexico’s traditional religious structure, combined with gradual diversification in recent decades.
Religious Composition of Guerrero (2020)
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 80.4% |
| Protestant / Evangelical Christian | 10.1% |
| No Religion | 4.4% |
| Unaffiliated Religion | 4.5% |
| Other Religions | 0.5% |
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Religion in Mexico
Indigenous Languages in Guerrero
Guerrero is one of Mexico’s most culturally diverse states, with a strong presence of Indigenous communities. According to the Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020, more than half a million residents aged three years and above speak an Indigenous language, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted native heritage.
These languages are mainly concentrated in mountainous and rural regions, especially in the Montaña and Costa Chica areas, where Indigenous traditions remain an important part of daily life.
📊 Most Spoken Indigenous Languages in Guerrero (2020)
| Indigenous Language | Number of Speakers |
|---|---|
| Nahuatl | 180,628 |
| Mixteco | 149,600 |
| Tlapaneco (Me’phaa) | 133,465 |
| Amuzgo | 49,400 |
Total Indigenous Language Speakers (Age 3+): 515,487
Source: Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020
Also read about: Race and Ethnicity in Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Guerrero Population
1. What is the population of Guerrero in 2026?
The projected population of Guerrero in 2026 is around 3.7 million, based on recent growth trends and Census 2020 data.
2. What is the population rank of Guerrero in Mexico?
Guerrero is the 13th most populated state in Mexico according to the 2020 Census.
3. What is the main religion in Guerrero?
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guerrero, followed by 80.4% of the population. Protestant and Evangelical Christians account for 10.1%, while 4.4% report having no religion.
4. How many people speak indigenous languages in Guerrero?
About 515,487 people aged 3 years and above speak an indigenous language in Guerrero. The most common languages are Nahuatl, Mixteco, Tlapaneco, and Amuzgo.
5. Which is the largest city in Guerrero?
Acapulco de Juárez is the largest city in Guerrero, with a population of 658,609 (Census 2020).